Here is a special one for all the vinyl-heads and collectors out there: three remix 12"s, including all remix work (by Ron Trent, Kuniyuki, Simbad), and the dancefloor-friendly versions plus the CD sealed in a full-color sleeve. Hand-numbered. Limited to 100 pieces. Grab one while stocks last... Still Living in Slavery is Mr Raoul K's third album. It is, however, the first one that will be released on his own label, Baobab Music. He thought for quite some time about how to shift the African instruments and African rhythm structures that he uses in his production process into a more dominant, more exposed position, so he gave them a role of their own, freeing them from being bound to a groove coined by a four-to-the-floor kick-drum. While using dominating drum sounds when producing records aimed for the dancefloor seemed reasonable, they weren't needed for the storytelling concept throughout this album and are left to the remixes. As usual, Mr Raoul K worked together with artists from Africa, and on this record, Hamed Sosso, Sona Diabaté, Batakali A.K. Tenekdash and Adama Conde present their skills. His friend Kuniyuki Takashi demonstrates his talent on the flute and provides some piano, too. This album deals with aspects of inner and outer slavery. It is known that people -- whether knowingly or not -- often get into habits that start to limit their possibilities and narrow their view. Slavery is no longer people put in chains by others, but people put in chains by themselves. But only one group of the enchained will admit to their chain. Mr Raoul K's other concern is to share traditional African grooves and sounds with an audience that hasn't experienced this kind of music before. He presents an authentic surrounding that provides the listener with the chance to fall in love with the unusual rhythmic patterns, without getting trapped in neo-colonial-folkloristic stereotypes. This album stands against cultural hegemonism and commits itself to getting together without prejudice.

This 12" is the third and last EP that will make up the vinyl version of Mr. Raoul K's album Still Living in Slavery. Please remember: The last 12" came in a neat sleeve that easily stores all three records in it. The first side contains Kuniyuki Takashi's remix of "Dounougnan Magni," who softens the somewhat sparse and minimalistic style of the original. The flipside contains the last chapter of the epic "Enchained Tribe," a deep, glowing track with a haunting vocal. "Break Your Chains and Return to Botswana" is full of slow-paced African percussion and an accompanying chant that fades in and out of the mix.

Still Living in Slavery is Mr Raoul K's third album. It is, however, the first one that will be released on his own label, Baobab Music. He thought for quite some time about how to shift the African instruments and African rhythm structures that he uses in his production process into a more dominant, more exposed position, so he gave them a role of their own, freeing them from being bound to a groove coined by a four-to-the-floor kick-drum. While using dominating drum sounds when producing records aimed for the dancefloor seemed reasonable, they weren't needed for the storytelling concept throughout this album and are left to the remixes. As usual, Mr Raoul K worked together with artists from Africa, and on this record, Hamed Sosso, Sona Diabaté, Batakali A.K. Tenekdash and Adama Conde present their skills. His friend Kuniyuki Takashi demonstrates his talent on the flute and provides some piano, too. This album deals with aspects of inner and outer slavery. It is known that people -- whether knowingly or not -- often get into habits that start to limit their possibilities and narrow their view. Slavery is no longer people put in chains by others, but people put in chains by themselves. But only one group of the enchained will admit to their chain. Mr Raoul K's other concern is to share traditional African grooves and sounds with an audience that hasn't experienced this kind of music before. He presents an authentic surrounding that provides the listener with the chance to fall in love with the unusual rhythmic patterns, without getting trapped in neo-colonial-folkloristic stereotypes. This album stands against cultural hegemonism and commits itself to getting together without prejudice.

The next part of Mr Raoul K's album Still Living in Slavery, delivered in a picture sleeve that will hold all three records. The first side features all three chapters of "Dounougnan Magni" stretched over almost 18 minutes. Pure Afro funk bliss with beautiful keyboards played by Kuniyuki Takahashi. Vocals by Hamed Sosso. The flipside opens with the Mr Raoul K & Laolu version of "Sene Kela." A summery groover with a prominent balafon melody, a driving bass line and beautiful vocals by Sona Diabate. The record closes with two parts of "Enchained Tribe," featuring the sound of the "Water Kalebasse," a dried pumpkin filled with water.

This 12" is the first in a triple that will make up the vinyl version of Mr. Raoul K's album Still Living in Slavery -- his first album on his own label. The second 12" will be released in a picture sleeve that will be able to hold all three records. "Intelligent Revolution" is an epic 13-min+ rollercoaster ride without any dominant kick-drum. Traditional African instruments fuel an irresistible groove that keeps pulling you in. Ron Trent flexes his remix muscle on "Sene Kela" and applies his warm deep house sound to this vocal-driven track. Simbad's treatment of "Dounougnan Magni (Chapitre 3)" pushes this already dynamic track even further.

Mr. Raoul K finally got one of his heroes to do a remix on one of his tracks. Joe Claussell takes "Ayoka" (taken from Neo-Evolution 02) to a whole new level. He adds a lot of jazz-tinged sounds (especially percussion) and atmosphere but manages to keep the overall African timbre of the original. This adds quite a bit of turns and twists to the already epic journey of the original. The flipside hosts Mr. Raoul K's own remixes, including his own edit of Joe Claussell's remix.

This release should have an "all natural ingredients" sticker on it. All sounds you hear are from traditional instruments recorded on various occasions in the Ivory Coast. It took Mr Raoul K quite some time to get his hand on all the raw material he needed. He then cut it in bits and pieces and rearranged the sonic puzzle into a slowly-evolving track. Join his journey that starts in the cold of a desert at night.

On "Neo-Evolution," Mr. Raoul K uses the concept of evolution to travel with you through his musical journey. Every section of the track seems to evolve. Simple patterns grow into complex patterns. More instruments join in. Some stay, some are dropped after a few bars. The only sound that accompanies you throughout the track is the choir that chants in an ancient African language. The track closes with some beats for your mixing pleasure.

Mr Raoul K and Baobab present new remixes of "Le Karantkatrieme Peul." Belgian duo Prisme remixed it and sent the result to Mr Raoul K who instantly fell in love with their melodic and laid back approach. The other production crew featured here are the Iklawa Brothers, whose remix is a dark, Afrobeat-driven tune. The last remix is done by Mr Raoul K himself and is an epic track that seems to dance on tiptoes around a giant beast.

Mr. Raoul K crafts a relentless groover that sends everyone on the floor into the higher state of consciousness called trance. He layers track upon track and builds a solid grooving base for the balafon -- a handmade percussion instrument not unlike a marimba that gives Guinean music its characteristic flavor. The vocal loop on top draws you deep into the vortex of nested percussion, African melodies and thick basslines. Already tested by Âme with stunning results. One-sided release.